Academic Requirements

To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program that they are applying to which can be reviewed on each program page.

MAGE reviews applications holistically by taking into consideration all components included in the Application Checklist below. Applicants with a GPA below a 3.0 are strongly encouraged to submit the following information:

  • Resume/CV reflecting at least 3-5 years of relevant work experience
  • 2 strong professional or academic letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose (see prompt below)
  • Strong GRE test scores 

Application Checklist

  • Application Fee: A $75 fee is required to complete an application. The application fee is non-refundable and must be received prior to submitting the application. 
    Learn more about who is eligible for a MAGE application fee waiver.

  • Unofficial Transcripts:  
    You must upload unofficial transcripts to the application portal. Only admitted students who choose to enroll will be required to submit official hardcopy transcripts to the Graduate School. 
    International applicants, if your transcript was issued in a different language, you must also include a literal English translation. Degree certificates should also be uploaded for any completed international degree. 

  • Letters of Recommendation: Academic and/or professional references are accepted. There is not a required format for recommenders to use when writing letters.
    Master of Engineering (M.Eng) applicants must identify two individuals to provide recommendations. 
    Graduate Certificate in Engineering (GCEN) applicants are not required to submit letters of recommendation.

  • Resume/CV: Strongly recommended but not required.

  • English proficiency scores: International applicants only.
    Review more information on applying to MAGE as an International Applicant.  

  • GRE Test Scores: Recommended but not required.

  • Personal Experience Prompts: ~250 words suggested for prompts available within the application

  • Statement of Purpose:
    Required: A traditional Statement of Purpose is not required for the Master of Engineering or Graduate Certificate in Engineering degree programs. Instead, please upload the following statement to the Statement of Purpose section: 
    I [Full Name] understand that I am applying for the [Degree - M. Eng. or GCEN] program in [Program Name]. I understand there is no research or thesis in the program and no financial assistance provided.
    Strongly Recommended: In addition to the required prompt above, applicants can address the following optional statement:
    In 500 words or less, describe your short and long term professional goals and how the professional graduate engineering program will help you achieve them.

In your application, please focus on the required items described above. Inclusion of other materials is not recommended as they will generally not be considered in making admission decisions.

Application Deadlines

  On-Campus Domestic On-Campus International Online Domestic and International
Spring Dec. 15th Sept. 24th Dec. 15th
Summer May 15th n/a May 15th
Fall July 31st Mar. 8th July 31st

The application opens in July for the upcoming spring, summer and fall semesters.

International applicants who will require a student visa must submit an application by the On-Campus International deadline regardless of whether they are in or out of the country.

 

Application Instructions

Applications are submitted online via the Graduate School websiteTo begin the Graduate School application, click here. When creating your application account, please ensure that your name matches the name listed on your official, government-issued identification (e.g., passport). 

As you move through the application, you will see several tabs appear requesting required information. For more details on what is required in specific tabs, see drop-downs below.

After responding to all required and relevant items, you may submit your application.

Master of Engineering applicants:

  • Application Type: Degree
  • Level of Study: Master’s
  • Intended Program of Study: Select which program you plan to pursue. M.Eng. programs end with “M.Eng.” and include the word “Professional” in the title.
  • Term of Entrance: Select the term you wish to be considered for. We are not able to move an application once it has been submitted.

Graduate Certificate in Engineering applicants:

  • Application Type: Certificate
  • Intended Program of Study: Select which program you plan to pursue.
  • Term of Entrance: Select the term you wish to be considered for. We are not able to move an application once it has been submitted.

Please enter information for every institution that you have earned a degree from or completed relevant coursework at. Include your cumulative GPA for each school attended as listed on your transcript. International students should NOT convert their GPA to the 4.0 scale.

The Master of Engineering and Graduate Certificate in Engineering programs have specialty tuition rates which do not differentiate between residents and non-residents of Maryland. This program does not provide departmental assistantships or fellowships. Admitted students can review university resources on Financing Your Degree.

Share your experience as it relates to one or more of the prompts listed in the application. Responses can be brief (~250 words suggested). You can address more than one subject, but you would need to upload a separate document for each prompt.

  • Statement of Purpose
    • Required: A traditional Statement of Purpose is not required for the Master of Engineering or Graduate Certificate in Engineering degree programs. Instead, please upload the following statement to the Statement of Purpose section: 

      I [Full Name] understand that I am applying for the [Degree - M. Eng. or GCEN] program in [Program Name]. I understand there is no research or thesis in the program and no financial assistance provided.

      Recommended but not required: In addition to the required prompt above, applicants can address the following optional statement:

      In 500 words or less, describe your short and long term professional goals and how the professional graduate engineering program will help you achieve them.

  • Supplementary Application *Cybersecurity ONLY 
    • Cybersecurity applicants who have earned one of the below certifications can upload a copy for it to be taken into consideration:
      • CompTIA Security+
      • GIAC GSEC
      • Certified Ethical Hacker
    • Certifications and documents outside of those listed above should not be uploaded as they will not be taken into consideration.

Input the name and email address of each of your academic and/or professional recommenders on this page. The recommenders will receive an email with a link to submit a letter on your behalf directly to the application portal.

Applicants must submit official score reports to the Graduate School for a score to be considered. Self-reported test scores will not be used during the review process but can be helpful for the Graduate School to match official score reports to an application.

All incomplete applications and applications from international students who are not cleared for admission will be rejected.

Applicants who do not register for the semester for which they are admitted will have their admission terminated.

A. James Clark School of Engineering Graduates and Alumni, it’s easier than ever to apply! Learn more here.

 

    Questions?

    • If you need to make any changes after you have submitted the application, or if you have any technical difficulties with the online application, you must contact the Graduate School at gradappsupport@umd.edu.
    • For all other questions related to the application process, please contact one of our admissions staff members.
    Photo of Emily Golub

    Admissions Staff

    Emily Golub

    2105 JM Patterson, College Park, MD 20742
    301-405-7712 |  mage@umd.edu

    After You Apply

    Learn about what to expect after you submit your application, including when supporting documentation is due and the review process. 

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